Bowling equipment carrier



March. 5, 1963 e. R. NOEL BOWLING EQUIPMENT CARRIER Filed Aug. 11, 1960 0 a 4 m .m -l-.I. mu 3 a A .A 2 7. I 2 m a 2 lfluulo INVENTOR.

GEORGE R. NOEL BY P Z 737m ATTORNEY 3,079,967 Patented Mar. 5, 1963 3,079,967 BOWLING EQUEMENT CARRIER George R. Noel, Upper Gwynedd, Pa. (110 White Gal: Road, North Wales, M.R., Pa.) Filed Aug. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 49,062 3 Claims. (Cl. 15052) This invention relates to a carrier for bowling equipment. More particularly, it relates to a carrier for a bowling ball, and a pair of bowling shoes. More particularly, it relates to such a carrier comprising a metal frame, ball clamping means, shoe hangers, carrying handle, and a removable flexible cover.

The problem solved by this invention is the provision of a carrier for bowling equipment, such as is commonly used and required by bowlers. It is desired to provide such a carrier having means to firmly hold the ball and to carry the bowling shoes in such a manner that the ball and shoes are independently easily accessible. It is also important to provide adequate air circulation past the bowling shoes so that perspiration may be evaporated. it is also important to prevent the bowling shoes from being crushed by movement of the ball or some other causes. It is also desirable to have the carrier light in weight, compact, and in particular, economical. Another aspect of this invention lies in the provision of the removable cover, generally fabric or plastic, so that the frame may be considered a permanent unit and the cover a replaceable element. This cover may be replaced when it is soiled, worn, damaged, or for any other reason.

An aspect of this invention relates to the fact that the required cover may be of extremely simple and inexpensive manufacture, so that it may be replaced many times, thus prolonging substantially indefinitely the life of the entire unit, at a relatively low cost for substitute covers from time to time.

It is an object of this invention to provide a bowling equipment carrier.

It is an object of this invention to provide a carrier for bowling ball and bowling shoes comprising a frame 4 and a removable flexible cover.

it is an object of this invention to provide a carrier for a bowling ball and bowling shoes comprising a metal frame, clamping means for said ball, hanger means for said bowling shoes, locking means for said clamp, a carrying handle, a removable closeable fabric cover adapted to fit over said frame and to be removably fastened thereto.

Other aims and objects of this invention are made apparent in the following specification and claims.

The invention is best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front View of the frame, partially in section.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the frame, partially in section, taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the carrier, partially cut away and partially in section.

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the carrier, partially cut away and partially in section.

And FIGURE 5 is a top view, partially in section, taken along line 55 of FIGURE 1.

The carrier, generally designated by reference numeral 190 includes a rigid frame, preferably metal, 10. The frame part of the carrier is described first. It comprises a leg member 11, clearly shown in FIGURE 1 as a single elongated piece bent so as to form a left leg and a right leg, as well as a top portion. This leg member 11 may well be described as an inverted U member. An identical leg member 12 is also provided. By reference to FIG- URE 2, if leg 11 is considered the front leg, leg 12 may be deemed the rear leg.

The leg member 12, as shown in FIGURE 2, is the duplicate of leg member 11 which is best shown in FIG- URE l, and also forms an inverted U. The leg members 11 and 12 are positioned with their ends pointing downward and their top portions generally parallel and generally closer together than the ends thereof, as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

A base 13 is provided between leg members 11 and 12, near the bottoms thereof, but preferably not at the extreme bottom end, as shown. This base 13 is preferably provided with a generally slight spherical depression 13A in the center thereof. The base 13 is a solid sheet, preferably flanged as shown.

A spring housing 14 is provided between the top portions of leg members 11 and 12. This spring housing 14 is generally a channel or U shaped member with its channel axis generally parallel to the top portions of leg members 11 and 12, and of shorter length than said top portions. The spring housing 14- is affixed to members 11 and 12 by means of housing grips 14C. As best shown in FIGURE 2, these grips comprise extensions on the housing 14 which at least partially wrap around the body of members 11 and 12.

A bridge plate 16 is provided across the top of housing 14, and is preferably provided with dependent sides or flanges 16A, which come down at least partially into housing 14.

At the bottom of housing 14, and extending outwardly therefrom along the channel axis at each end thereof, are hanger supports 14A. The purpose of these hanger supports is described below in connection with the shoe supporting means. A hole 14B is provided through the bottom of spring housing 14, to accommodate shaft 21 as is described in more detail below.

Hangers 28 extend from the ends of housing 14, as best shown in FIGURE 1. They are supported by the hanger supports 14A which have been described above. While the hangers 28 are described in the plural, it may be seen from FIGURE 5 that the preferred form of these hangers is a unitary elongated member, which is bent or otherwise shaped as it passes through housing 14 so as to avoid the shaft 21. As is shown in FIGURE 1, the hangers 28 each drop downward from housing 14 and are shaped into a reverse curve outwardly toward the left and right legs respectively.

At each end of each hanger 28 is supported a shoe tree 29. This shoe tree 29 may be afliXed to hanger 28 by a tree clamp 23A for example. The hangers 28 (which are preferably one unitary piece) are secured and positioned in housing 14 by means of crimps 14D, as best shown in FIGURE 5. These exemplary fastening means are tabs of metal cut out of the bottom of housing 14 and bent over hanger 28. It is apparent that bowling shoes A, shown in phantom lines, may be supported on shoe trees 29.

Below housing 14 is suspended a locking cup 15. This is preferably a cup-shaped member, open at the top, and circularly cylindrical in cross section, as is best shown in FIGURE 5. The vertical part of the cup is designated as cup wall 27, and is equipped with horizontal flanges for afiixing to the bottom of housing 14. A locking slot 15A is provided in the bottom of locking cup 15. This locking slot includes a hole large enough to accommodate shaft 14, as well as slotted extensions extending therefrom on each side.

A hole 16B is provided through the bridge plate 16, large enough to accommodate a collar 23. As can best be seen by reference to FIGURE 1, the bridge plate 16 may be a relatively narrow strip, being provided merely to support the collar 23.

An elongated generally vertical shaft 21 is provided extending through collar 23, hole 143, locking slot A, and hearing at its lower end a cap 26. This cap 26 has the function of holding a bowling ball B firmly in place. it preferably is provided at its lower rim with a resilient pressurering 27, for purposes of a better grip. The ball B shown in phantom lines, rests in depression 13A and is selectively pressed upon on itsupper surface by the pressure ring 27.

The portion of shaft 21 extending above collar 23 is provided with a bend 21A as shown, which generally is designated as a handle 20. One form of this handle is made by bending the shaft 21 so that it terminates in a horizontal section. This handle serves the dual function of carrying the entire carrier 109 and also of providing a means to rotate shaft 21.

Locking pins are provided on shaft 21, as shown, preferably consisting of a pair of diametrically opposed pins. A helical clamp spring 24 is provided inside housing 14, one end thereof bearing on the bottom of housing 14 and the other end thereof bearing on the bottom of collar 23, the spring surrounding shaft 21. The clamp spring 24 is biased preferably so that it raises the locking pins 25 against the bottom of housing 14, as shown in FIGURE 1. This position provides the positioning of handle 20 and cap 26 shown in solid lines in FIGURE 1. By rotating handle 20 so that locking pins 25 are aligned with locking slot 15A, and thereafter depressing handle 20, the locking pins may be passed through the bottom of locking cup 15. By then rotating handle 20 back to a position in which the pins 25 are not aligned with slot 15A, the shaft 21 is thereby locked in its lowered position, as shown by the phantom lines in FIGURE 1. In this lowered position, the ball B is firmly held against movement in the carrier.

The frame 10 is covered with a cover generally designated 30. This cover preferably comprises a fabric sheet 31, shaped as shown to generally fit over and cover the frame 10. The bottom of the frame is not covered by cover 30. Preferably, this cover is provided with a pair of zippers 32 and 33, extending respectively up each end of the carrier cover and partially in a continuing line over the top portion thereof, generally parallel to the top portions of leg members 11 and 12, as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The fabric 31 is provided at its top center with a hole reinforced by a grommet through which shaft 21 may easily pass. The rotational positions of the bend 21A of handle 20, as described above, are best shown in FIGURE 3. The cover 30 is preferably attached to the frame 10 at two adjacent legs on the same side. This attaching means may be a loop of fabric 34, as shown, which fits over the bottom of the leg member.

In use, the basic frame 19 is considered a permanent item. A cover 30, which may be of any suitable fabric or sheet material, such as canvas, other woven fabrics, sheet plastic such as polyethylene, and so on, is provided as shown as a replaceable member. The cover, having been slipped over handle 20, is fastened by attaching means 34 at one side of the carrier. By opening the zippers 32 and 33, the side of the cover 30 which is not fastened to the legs may be easily flipped open. The bowling ball and shoes may be easily positioned as shown. Of course, other objects may be carried also. The handle 20 is then rotated as has been described, and is depressed as has been described, thus locking the ball B firmly in place and preventing shifting. The zippers 32 and 33 are then closed, and the complete carrier is ready for transport of the ball and shoes.

When from time to time it is desired to replace the cover, either because it is worn or for any other reason, the attaching means 34 may be easily removed and the cover discarded and replaced. Note that the loops 34 are merely one example of the attaching means. There are many others, such as clamps, snaps, buttons, buckles and other known fastening devices. In addition, it may be desirable to have a relatively permanent fastening means for the cover on one side of the carrier and a more easily disengageable fastening means on the other, to prevent any unwanted flapping of the cover. The provision of the cover serves to protect the carrier contents from the weather, and to improve the appearance. Note that the cover is left open at the bottom, for several reasons. Learving the cover open permits a free circulation of air, which is important in keeping the shoes dry and in good condition. This has been a problem with other bowling equipment carriers. Another factor in leaving the bottom open is that it is possible to produce a cover of very inexpensive manufacture, which makes replacement easy. Note that the zippers 32 and 33 are exemplary; they may be replaced by any equivalent fastening means, such as the gripping fabrics known under the trademark of Velcro, or by other means.

The handle 20 may be provided as shown, or it may be varied widely within the scope of this invention. For example, at the base of the bend 21A, an adjustable hinge may be provided so that the handle may be laid flat for storage, thus reducing the overall height of the carrier. The vertical portions of the leg members 11 and 12 are shown as straight, but it is possible to reduce the overall horizontal dimensions of the carrier by moving all the legs closer together, and where they would interfere with the ball B, to shape an accommodating outward curve therein.

The leg members 11 and 12 may conveniently and preferably be made of tubular metal, such as aluminunL. The other metal part may also be made of aluminum, for weight saving reasons. Other metals and materials may of course also be used. The frame members may be attached to each other by any convenient and known means.

'In addition to the aforementioned ventilation advantage of this carrier, note that it permits a much longer overall life than previously known carriers, since the cover, which wears first, may be replaced. It has a decided overall long term cost saving, for reasons which have been mentioned. It firmly holds the bowling ball and prevents it from shifting, and also prevents the bowling shoes from being crushed by the ball. The scope of this invention is to be determined by the appended claims and is not to be limited by the embodiments shown and described, which are intended to be exemplary and not limiting.

I claim:

1. A bowling ball and bowling shoe carrier comprising a frame, a vertically movable bowling ball pressure applying means, said frame comprising a pair of inverted U shaped leg members, a base connecting said leg members near the lower ends thereof, and a housing connecting said leg members at the tops thereof, a spring provided within said housing, said spring biasing said pressure applying means in an upward direction, said housing supporting said bowling ball pressure applying means and a shoe carrying means, said housing having a locking cup suspended therefrom, said locking cup being provided with a locking slot, locking means to lock said pressure applying means, said shoe carrying means comprising part of said frame, handle means comprising part of said pressure applying means and comprising part of said frame, and said pressure applying means provided with a locking pin adapted to fit into said locking slot, said pressure applying means being rotatable so that said pin may be locked under said locking cup by vertically moving said pin through said slot and rotating said pressure applying means.

7 .2. A bowling ball and bowling shoe carrier comprising a frame, a vertically movable bowling ball pressure applying means, locking means to lock said pressure applying means, shoe carrying means comprising part of said frame, handle means comprising part of said pressure applying means and comprising part of said frame, a flexible sheet material cover is provided fitting over said frame, said cover having a cover hole at the top to accommodate said handle means, having an open bottom, having closure means thereon, and having means to removably attach said cover to said frame.

3. A carrier as set forth in claim 2 wherein said closure means are two independent closures, on opposite sides of said cover hole, and each said closure running to the bottom edge of said cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Jewett Dec. 25, 1900 Bauder Aug. 29, 1922 Shaw Apr. 5, 1932 Horwitz Sept. 2, 1958 Golf Nov. 18, 1958 Cart Feb. 3, 1959 

1. A BOWLING BALL AND BOWLING SHOE CARRIER COMPRISING A FRAME, A VERTICALLY MOVABLE BOWLING BALL PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS, SAID FRAME COMPRISING A PAIR OF INVERTED U SHAPED LEG MEMBERS, A BASE CONNECTING SAID LEG MEMBERS NEAR THE LOWER ENDS THEREOF, AND A HOUSING CONNECTING SAID LEG MEMBERS AT THE TOPS THEREOF, A SPRING PROVIDED WITHIN SAID HOUSING, SAID SPRING BIASING SAID PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION, SAID HOUSING SUPPORTING SAID BOWLING BALL PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS AND A SHOE CARRYING MEANS, SAID HOUSING HAVING A LOCKING CUP SUSPENDED THEREFROM, SAID LOCKING CUP BEING PROVIDED WITH A LOCKING SLOT, LOCKING MEANS TO LOCK SAID PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS, SAID SHOE CARRYING MEANS COMPRISING PART OF SAID FRAME, HANDLE MEANS COMPRISING PART OF SAID PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS AND COMPRISING PART OF SAID FRAME AND SAID PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS PROVIDED WITH A LOCKING PIN ADAPTED TO FIT INTO SAID LOCKING SLOT, SAID PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS BEING ROTATABLE SO THAT SAID PIN MAY BE LOCKED UNDER SAID LOCKING CUP BY VERTICALLY MOVING SAID PIN THROUGH SAID SLOT AND ROTATING SAID PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS. 